Watch-crystal-cutting machine



' Sept. 3, 1929.- E. GLUCK WATCH CRYSTAL CUTTING MACHINE Filed OCT.. l5, 1926 Patented Slept. 3, 1929.

UNITED sTr."rasv "PATE-Nr oFFlcE.

EUGENE GLUcx, or NEW Yoan, N. Y.

WATCH-CYSTAL-CUTTING MACHINE.

Application led October 15, 1926. Serial No, 141,55.`

This invention relates to devices for cutting sheet material to correspond to a given templet and more particularly is dlrected to a device for'making watch crystals and other like tals maybe formed with said devicebut more particularly novel and odd shaped crystals, such as used for wrist-watches.

Another object of the .invention is to provide a device of the character described hay ing a pantographic adjustment whereby the blanks may be cut to form crystals of proper size to -be held in the crystal retaining wall of the bezel or somewhat larger than the bezel templet so as, for example, to provide Sullicient material to permit convexing the watch crystal blank as will hereinafter appear.

A; 'furthervobject of the invention isto provide an improved device of the character described comprising few and simple parts forming a. small compact apparatus, which shall be relatively cheap to manufacture, simple and easy to operate, and practical and ethcient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in4 part hereinafter pointed out.

Theinvention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope-of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention, Y

Fig. l is a plan view of a device embodying the invention, the wrist watch being shown in dotted lines. A

Fig. 2 fis a front elevational view of the device in section, partly in elevation, and showing the interior construction.

Fi 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional yiew `showing the guide cooperating with the rim opening of the bezel. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showlng thecutter engaging the sheet material for forming the watch crystal.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of a watch case tted with a convexly shaped crystal.

Referring in detail the drawing,10-de notes a device embodying the invention which is particularly adapted to cut sheet material 1n makincrystals for wrist-watches. Said device co prises a pair of gears 11 and 12 which may be interconnected to form a train .by means of a worm 13. Said gear train may be mounted in any suitable manner, preferabl being disposed in a horizontal plane an housed in a casing 14.

The casing 14 is seen to comprise a base I portion 14a and a cover portion 14b which completely `enclose the 'gear trainand rovide'bearings for the vertically exten ing shafts 15 and 16 and a horizontally extending shaftl 17 on which the gears 11' and 12 and worm 13, respectively, are mounted. The lower ends of the shafts 15 and 16 may be suitably journaledin theI base portion 14a as'at 14 and 14, respectively, said shafts 15 and l'projecting upwardly through the upperbearings' 14 and 14f, respectively, formed in the cover'portion 14", The shafts 15 and 16 may also be provided with shoulders 15a and 16, respectively, on a mid-portion thereof, said shoulders preferably aligning with the downwardly facingsurfaces of the bearings 14 and 14, said shoulders and the downwardly facing side of the bearings serving as an a utment forA the hubs 11 and 12L of the gears 11 vand 12, respectively, as 1s clearly shown lin Fig. 2; The gears 11 and l2 may be firmly secured to the shafts 15 and 16, respectively, in any suitable manner as by'means of set-screws 18 and 19. The worm shaft 17 may be journaled in a removable sleeve bearing 32 secured to the casing cover 14b by a screw 33, said shaft extending through the side of the casing and having a crank handle 34 fixedly secured thereto for rotating the worm to actuate the gear train.

and 'operating the device 10, aswill hereinafter more fully appear. For retaining the casing portions 14a and 14b together, vertically extending through bolts 40 are provided. The lower ends of said bolts may serve' as anchorages for suitable feet'41 as shown in v Fig. 2.

The upper end ofthe shaft 15 extending.

through the easing 14 has secured by a setscrew 20, suitable means 22 to rotate with said shaft for -releasably securing aftemplet or' pattern. In the form of the invention shown in the drawing a bezel 21* of a watch 21 serves as thev templet, as will hereinafter more fully appear. Said templet securing means 22 may u pressed against the consist of a chuck form of clamp nism which is se'en to comprise Va uiding bed 22 'on which is slidably mounte OILIILGT/ement to and from eachf other a pair of stepped 5 jaws 22": A screw 22-having the o posite ends thereof formed with left an right threads is provided to engage said jaws for adjusting same on' turning either of kni'irled nger knobs 22l mounted on the opposite ends osaid screw. By providing two knbs, at least one will always be convenientl positioned for adjusting the 'clamping mec anism 22. T he two knobs'also facilitate the appli-- cation of a powerful tightening force to theA screw 22. f

The stepped construction of jaws 22b per- 1 mit accommodating in said mechanism 22 watches of various thicknesses, said clamping `mechanism 22 preferably being arranged so that wrist watchesare supplied with straps thereon which are not readilyv removable, such straps are not interfered with on rota tion thereof on the device.'

ing mechafor attachingasheet of material or blank 25 from which the crystal 25a is cut. Said sheet attachin addisc being ng a threaded threa `e as at 24", for enga iiange 24 of an annular h rnLg 24?. (See Fig; 2.) t xtending upwardly from the center of the exterior -side of the cover portion 14h midway bletween said s eet attaching throu h the center o f 40 Said olt extends through formed in a mid-portion of`a tending ldoubleA arm. 28 the latter for movement on said stanchion with of said arm extending mechanisi'n`22'v and the otheren `portion 28 thereof extending overthe shee attaching means 24; 'A win ed nut 27* is provided on the upper end of the' bolt 27 forretaiming the arm28inposition. 's Suplported on the arm endfportion- 2 8b suita e guide 29 which pre erably ismade I so as to be adjustable 'to and from the mechanism 22. Said guide ma7 com rise a verti cally disposed screw 29 threaded into said arm end 28, the .lower end 29 bein'forined` horizontally expivotallysupp orting 1n a horizontal plane one end portion -28b over the clampi with a suitable point-for engang t the watch bezel open'iii 21".:- of the screw may be ma e i w wihdalok nutggmaybeprovided fer re:-

taining the screw Asuitable marker end portion 28: Said marker consists of a ,stylus or cutter 30* which iseadapted 'to he anadjusted position.

ol er or clampingr ng rotation of the crank handl v the arm 28 is caused tov`A swing to con rm with l sheet material 25 on the stance'may be used,

attaching meai 24. To facilitate the v remOYl and re laceinent of *said cutter 3021116 latter is fitte intoI a holder 3Q. Said holder may be made from a screw which 1s lon itudinelly slittedea the leading end 30 t erw?, 70 said end being counterboied alongthe ,aXlS thereof as at 30d for receiving the endJO ghe cutter 30a. A knurled nut '30 1S plloylufd or releasably clamping the cutter 3 0 t $11!; holder 30", as is clearly vshown in Eig'. 2. 75 A receptacle portion 30 is provided on the arm end portion 28 into 'which the holder 30. extends and lthere is afsuitable quick-detae'h= able mounting for locking the holder in position. Said mounting may comprise a collar 30g mounted for free movement on the head end of 4the holder 30", said collar having a projecting pin 30h which forms a bayonet joint with a slot 301 formed in the receptanle ortion 30f. A compression spring 30 1 s also 85 housed 'in said receptacle portion and ,1s pO- sitioned between the nut 30e of the holder and the collar 30S so as to provide pressure for cutting the sheet material 25, as will be clearly e rim opening 2lb of the watch bezel-21, l tension spring 31 is provided, one end of s aid spring being secured to a lug 28d. extending and thether end thereof being anchored to a relativelyfixed sup port, such as 26a- The operation of the device will now be After the watch 21 for which a crystal is to be made is firmly secured to the clamping mechanism subpointedcend 29.b

e on the rim of holder 30h is then at the cutter '30 material 25. On the e 34 the gears l1 l' and 12 are revolved carrying theI watch; 21 and the sheet material 2 5, respectively, with them. The spring'3l retains the guide 29 against the rim of the bezel openintg 21b and of the guide is adjustedt ri the bezel opening 21-, vThe locked in position so th 'presses against the sheet the shape of the bezel o ening 2lb 'direttiifig the marker 30 to inscriie the sha si'fl opening 'on the sheet material 25, us forming in Inasmuch as with the supbezel has concutter 30 asso- 5 for the; lcrystal blank; 125 is marked or; cut from the l1 conform to and fit Snudl rystal retainin For the sheet mate said c P1211 25, 2 my suitable subsuch as 'C ,lelluloid or other 13.0

mames materials having like suitable properties. When celluloid is used, it is only necessary to scratch the shape thereon in outline in order to form the crystal 259L since the outlined portion 1may be removed from the remaining watch contacting therewith. To finish shaping the crystal, 1t may be given a permanent cbnvexed cross-sectional shape in any well known 4manner' as by pressing the crystal 25L under hea-t between molds l(not shown) formed to the desired convexed shape. In that event, it is apparent that the size of the crystal 25L must be necessarily larger than the size of the bezel opening 21b in order to crystals is done after they are cut. The term blankis used to denote a suitable piece from which the crystal is cut, and by crystal is meant the portion which is cutout, or ontlined by scoring, in substantial'conformity with the bezel serving as a templet in which the erystal'is to be inserted.

Cuttin the crystal a trifle` large is advantageous or insuring that the crystal will be held inthe crystal retaining wall of the bezel, which is, of course, slightly overhanging. n It should be noted that the novel features of the applicants device may be incorporated in a less expensive construction than that shown in-the drawing. Thus for example the casing may be omitted and the clamping mechanism and the sheet material attachment means mounted directly on the gears.

It will lthus be seen that there is provided provide the material to form the convexe'd ha device in which the several objects of'this shape of a finished watch crystal 25". To this end, the arm 28 is provided with a pantographic adjustment, the construction of which consists in making the opening28a in the mid-portion of said arm 28 elongated andv providing -upper and lower shoes 35 on said arm through which extends the bolt 27. Said shoes clamp the arm 28 between them in adjusted posit-ion on tightening the winged nut 27"1L so that the relative distances from the pivot point to the guide 29 and to the marker 30 may be varied. Thus, asseen from Fig. 2, by movingthe arm to the right the arm end portion 28c may be made relatively longer than the arm end portion 28J causing the marker 30 to outline the crystal 25a relatively larger than the size of the bezel opening 2lb on operating the device 10.

Markings 36 on the side of the mid-portion of the arm 28 and the lower shoe 35 may be provided for indicating the adjusted pivotal setting of s aidarm. i

In the-practical use of the device only a few sets of molds for forming the convexed crosssectional vshape on all sizes and shapes of watch crystals. are necessary if the approxi- -mate longest straight line distance across the bezel opening 21b is known. To automatically determine said approximate distance, a ring 37 is mounted for rotation on the upper end of the stanchion 26 -ad'acent the arm 28.

Said ring has an upward y projecting portion 37 for Contact withlower shoe 3 5 so as to turn with the arm 28 in one direction.

` tated clockwise the ring 37 is left unaffected.l

Thus, as seen from Fig. l, when the arm 2 8 is swung in counter-clockwise direction, the ring 37 'is rotated, while when said arm is roence to said markings 38,v thisjneasurement beingl proportional to the distance across the,

bezel opening. It is evident that it is amat- :ter of procedure whether thejdoming of the invent-ionare' achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use. I

As various possible embodiments might be 4made of the above invention, and as various changesmight be made in the embodiment above set' forth, it is -to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

-Having thus 4described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. A device of the character describedcomprising a plurality of gears, having a common driving means, means for securing a templet to move with lone of said gears, means for supporting a sheet of material for movement with another of said gears, an arm guided by the templet for transcribing the shape of the latter to the sheet material on actuation of said gears, and alsingle worm positioned intermediate and directly engaging both said gears.

- 2. A device of the character described comprisin a plurality*A of gears, having a common riving means, means, for securing a templet to move with one of said gears, means "for supporting a sheet of material' for ni ment with another of said gears, an adapted to be .guided by the templet transcribing theshape of the latter to the y sheet material onactuation of said gears, a

pivot for said arm, said arm being adjustable in relation to the pivot to varyvthe relative size of the transcribed shape on rthe sheet niaterial, and resilient means for urging pivotal movement of said arm and maintainv .ing said arm inlengagement with said templet.

3'.A .device of the character described comprising'aplurality of gears, having sa cornmon driving means, adjustable means for securing templets ofvarious sizes and shapes to move with one of Said gears, means for supanother of said gears, an arm adapted to be guided by a templet mounted on'said adjustable means, for transcribing the shape of the templet on .the sheet material on actuation of said gears, aY pivot for said arm-and a 'spring for urging said arm about its pivot to maintain the same in contact with said templet. 4.- A. device of the character described compri'sing acasing, a pair of coplanar gears in said casing, a single drive means mounted between and directly engaging said gears, shafts for said gears extending through saidA casing, means carried on o ne of the gear-shafts for mounting a templetJ means on the other gear-shaft for attaching a sheet of material, an arm pivotall7 mounted on the casing to extend over said means, guiding means at one end'of said arm" for engaging the templet,

and marking means on the other end of said arm for inscribing the shape of the templet on the sheet materialn actuation of said gears, :fr

5 A `device of the character described coin-- prising a casing, a pair of gears -in said casing, single drive means mounted intermediate and directly engaging said gears, shafts for said gears extending through said casing, means carried on one of the gear shafts for-mounting a templet, means on the other gear shaft for attaching a she'et of material, an arm pivotally mounted on the casing intermediate the' ends thereof to extend over said means, guidf ing mean's at one end of said arm 'for' engaging the templet, and marking means on the other end of'said arm for inscribing the shape Y of the templet on the sheet material on actua'- tion of said gears, said arm bein longitudiv.

nally adjustable along its pivot orvarying the' size of the inscribed shape on the sheet material. l j

6. A device of the character described coinprising a casing, a pair of interconnected gears 1n said cas1ng,shafts for said gears ex tending through said casing, a clamping mechanism carried on one of the gear-shafts for retaining an object having a liangga'dedge,l said mechanismbeing adjustable for objects of varioussizes, means on the-other gearshaft' for attaching a sheet of material to be cut toconform to said flange, an 'arm pivotallg mounted Aon thecasing intermediate the en s thereof to extend over-'said attaching Y means,guiding means at one end of said arm or engaging said -flange, means for retaining said guiding means normally in engagement with said flange, and marking means on the other end of said arm for inscribing the shape of the flange-on the sheetof material on actuation of said gears.

7c A device of the character described coinprising leasing, a air of interconnected tending through said casing, 'means carried on one of the gear shafts for mountinga tempiet, means on the other gear shaft for at taching a sheet of material, an arm pivotally mounted on the casing intermediate the ends thereof to extend over said means, guiding 'means at one endiof said arm for engaging 70 the templet, marking means on the other end of said arm for inscribing the shape of the templet on the sheet materialen actuation of said gears, and spring means acting on said armiurgin the guiding means into cooperation'wth t e templet.

8. A device of the character described comprising `a casing, a pair -of interconnected gears in said casing, shafts for said gears extending through saidcasing, 4means carried on: oneof the gear shafts for mount-ing a templet, means on'the other gearshaft for attaching a sheet of material, an arm mounted on, the casin intermediate the en ds' thereof to "extend o er said means, guiding means at 8 6,

one endof said' arm for engaging the templet,

marking means on the other-end of said arm for inscribing the shape of the ktemplet on the sheet material on actuation of said gears, and

a spring having its -respeotiveends secured to the casing and said arm for retaining the guiding Ameans in effective cooperative position with the templet.,

9. A watch crystal'cutting device comprising means for supporting al crystal blank, .95

for marking or 'cutting a'crystal which will' 100 conform to and fit within said crystal retaining'wall. 10. Ajwatch crystal cutting device comvprising a support-for a crystalfblank, a cut'- ter associated therewith,a support for a watch 105' bezel, a guide associatedtherewith for controlling the. cutter, and mechanism for con-l tinuously and progressively causing saidguide to engage the crystal retaining wall on the bezel and said-cutter to c'u't or mark a 110 crystal whichwill conform to and fit within the crystal retaining wall.

1.1. A watchcr stal cutting device com'- prising'a su port or the crystal blank, a cutter associate therewith, a support for a watch bezel, a guide associated' therewith, means foi imparting synchronized -movements to said supports, a device for connecting said guide and said'cutter whereby the guide controls the position of the cutter, and means for caus- 1,20

ing the guide Ato .continuously and progressively'engage the crystal retaining wall on the bezel as' the support for thebezel is moved, and said cutter'to' cut or mark a crystal as the sulpport for thecrystal is moved which 125Av 'crysta will conform to andfit within said crystal retaining wall'. 1 gea-rs in saidcasmg, s afts for said gears excutterassociated therewith', a. support for a 13@- form to and fit within said crystal retaining watch bezel, a guide associated therewith, 'means for rotating said supports in synwall. Y

13. A watch crystal cutting device c omprising a 'support for the crystal blank, a

cutter associated therewith, a support for a chronism, a device for connecting said guide and said cutter whereby the guide and-cutter are moved in synchronism toward and from the respective centers of rotation of said sup- I ports, and means for causing the guide to conjtinuous'ly and progressively engage tli'e' crystal retaining wall on the bezel asthe support therefor is rotated and said cutter to cut vor mark a crystal Aas the 'su port for -theA crystal lblank isrotated whic crystal will conform to said crystal retaining wall.

-14. 'A watch crystal cutting device comprising a support for the crystal blank, 'ai

cutter associated therewith, asupport for a l watch bezel, a guide associated therewith, means for rotating said supports in synchronism, a pivoted arm device supporting said guide and said cutter whereby said guide and cutter will move in synchronism toward and from the respective centers of rotation of the supports, and means causing the guide to continuously and progressively engage the crystal retaining wall on the bezel nas the support therefor is rotated and said cutter to cut or mark a crystal as the support therefor is rotated which crystal will conform to the crystal retaining wall.

15. A machine of the kind described comprising a watch-holder chuck, a support for a.' piece of sheet material from whichlto cut a crystal, means for rotating said chuck, and

support synchronously, a guide adaptedto bear against the crystal retaining wall of the watch bezel, a tool to act on material on said support, a frame connecting said guide and toolto cause the tool to move toward and from the axis of rotation of said support in accordance with the lateral .movements of the guide compelled-by the rotating bezel,

and means whereby said guide is yieldin ly' i pressed laterall against. the crystal retaining wall of the ezel.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

,EUGENE GLUCK. 

